§ Mr. WebbTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many ministerial announcements have not been made in the first instance to the House; and of those how many were(a) speeches to outside bodies, (b) press releases, (c) press briefings and (d) made by other means, since 1 May; and if she will make a statement about her Department's policy in respect of making public ministerial announcements. [18900]
277W
§ Ms HarmanThe Department of Social Security has made 21 minor ministerial announcements by press notice since 1 May, which were not made in the first instance to Parliament; two of these were contained in speeches to outside bodies; three involved press briefings.
No other announcements have been made by the Department by other means.
When Parliament is in session, all significant announcements are made in the first instance to Parliament.